Great day for Canada at U19 worlds

PORTO, Portugal – Canada enjoyed a great start at the FIVB U19 World Championships in beach volleyball on Thursday as both teams won its opening two matches.

In men’s play, Blake Scheerhoorn of Belleville, Ont., and Lucas Coleman of Whitby, Ont., seeded 13th, saw their opening opponents from Costa Rica forfeit their match then defeated Pedro Henrique and Matheus Maia of Brazil 21-13, 21-19. Another round robin win Friday would propel the Canadians to round of 16.

On the women’s side, Sophie Bukovec of Toronto and Tiadora Miric of Thornhill, Ont., crushed an entry from Zimbabwe to open the main draw before downing Dunja Gerson and Anja Licka of Switzerland 21-19, 21-10. They are also in a strong position to get a bye to the round of 16.